John Menchia wins 2016 Leo Molloy Memorial in dramatic fashion

DARTS

3 May 2016

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John Menchia Gallagher is the 2016 Leo Molloy Memorial Darts singles champion for the second time.

He won this event in 2012 but this year’s was even more special as we had a very strong turnout with some of the best players in the North West in action and on the day the standard was of the highest quality on all boards from the first match to the final.

His opponent in the final was last year’s winner Liam Gallagher from Galway, whose father hails from Killybegs. Liam raced into a 3-0 lead, John got his first leg with a tops before Liam finished 80 to go 4-1 up and looking to be on his way to retaining the title. But in dramatic fashion John Menchia began his comeback; a tops and 94 checkout and a thirteen dart leg tied it up at 4-4. He then took out a 100 finish to hit the lead and completed the comeback and a brilliant performance with a 97 checkout in what was one of best finals of this great tournament.

We also had a dramatic comeback in the semi-final that just fell short as Joe Gallagher came from 4-0 down against Liam to 4-4 before Liam scraped by 5-4. Menchia beat Andrew Barron 5-1 in the other semi.

We had over 70 players paid in to play and while some could not get there on the day we still had an excellent turnout as this tournament continues to grow.

In the Ladies tournament Geraldine Harkin retained her title with a 3-1 over Majella Cunningham.

Thanks to all our board sponsors; Kilcar House and John Joe’s for hosting; all the players for entering and all who marked and checked games on the day or helped out in any way. We hope to see you all back next year!

Final

John Gallagher 6 Liam Gallagher 4

Semi Finals

John Gallagher 5 Andrew Barron 1

Liam Gallagher 5 Joe Gallagher 4

Quarter Finals

John Gallagher 4 Kieran Gallagher 3 (120 checkout John who was 3-1 down)

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